A focus adjustment control apparatus is provided which includes: a focus detection unit that calculates an evaluation value with regard to contrast of an image via an optical system to detect a focus adjustment state of the optical system; an acquisition unit that acquires from a lens barrel at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value of an image plane movement coefficient that represents correspondence relationship between a movement amount of a focus adjustment lens included in the optical system and a movement amount of an image plane; and a control unit that uses at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value of the image plane movement coefficient to determine a drive speed for the focus adjustment lens when the focus detection unit detects the focus adjustment state.

In a focus adjustment method for an imaging apparatus, that, in order to focus on a single or a plurality of point light sources, acquires plurality of image data while moving a focus lens in an optical axis direction and carries out focus adjustment based on the image data, brightness values of pixels within a given evaluation region are detected based on the image data, high brightness evaluation values are calculated based on the brightness values, symmetry of the high brightness evaluation values are calculated for movement of the focus lens, and focus adjustment is carried out based on an extreme value calculated based on the symmetry.

A lens apparatus having a focus lens can be detachably attached to an imaging apparatus. A sensor of the imaging apparatus photoelectrically converts an optical image formed via the lens apparatus. A generation unit generates an image based on an image signal output from the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus receives information about a focal length variation from the lens apparatus received by a lens communication control unit configured to control communication with the lens apparatus, and an image magnification variation correction control unit corrects the magnification of the image based on the information.

A lens barrel moves a plurality of lens groups efficiently in an optical axis direction while inhibiting size of the lens barrel from increasing. The lens barrel comprises a plurality of holding members respectively holding optical components, respectively provided with cam followers, and supported movably in optical axis direction, a cam cylinder having cam grooves engaged with the cam followers, and held rotatably around an axis parallel to an optical axis, and a driving unit configured to drive one holding member out of the plurality in the optical axis direction. By driving the one holding member being in the optical axis direction, the cam cylinder rotates, and another holding member out of the plurality is driven in the optical axis direction. The driving unit includes a vibration-type linear actuator configured to generate thrust force to drive the one holding member by an elliptical vibration generated in a vibrator.

A lens control apparatus includes a control unit that controls a position of a zoom lens and a position of a focus lens, a storage unit that stores cam tracks, an object distance acquisition unit that acquires an object distance, and a target position acquisition unit that acquires information of a first track corresponding to the object distance acquired by the object distance acquisition unit before movement of the zoom lens and a second track corresponding to an object distance longer than that of the first track, and the target position of the focus lens so as to move a focal position of an imaging optical system including the zoom lens and the focus lens based on the first track and the second track when zoom magnification of the imaging optical system including the zoom lens and the focus lens is increased by the movement of the zoom lens.

Methods and apparatus for controlling the read out of rows of pixel values from sensors corresponding to different optical chains used to capture portions of the same image area are described. The readout is controlled based on user input and/or determinations with regard to the rate of motion in captured images or portions of captured images. For a low rate of motion i, the readout rate of a sensor corresponding to a small focal length is slowed down while the pixel row readout rate of one or more sensors corresponding to one or more optical chains have larger focal lengths are allowed to proceed at a normal rate. For a high rate of motion, the read out rate of the sensor corresponding to the optical chain having the smaller focal length is allowed to proceed at the normal rate.

The interchangeable lens apparatus provided with an image capturing optical system and being detachably attachable to an image capturing apparatus, the image capturing apparatus being configured to detect a defocus amount of the image capturing optical system by using a signal acquired by photoelectric conversion of an optical image formed by the image capturing optical system. The interchangeable lens apparatus includes a focus lens included in the image capturing optical system, and a memory to store information on a focus sensitivity indicating a relation between a unit movement amount of the focus lens and a displacement amount of the optical image. The information on the focus sensitivity is information for enabling acquiring the focus sensitivity different depending on an image height.

An interchangeable lens attachable to a camera body, the interchangeable lens including: a focusing optical system configured to vary a focal position of the interchangeable lens; and a transmitter configured to transmit a first value and a second value to the camera body, the first value indicating a relationship between an amount of movement of the focusing optical system and an amount of movement of an image plane at a position to which the focusing optical system has moved, the second value indicating a relationship between an amount of movement of the focusing optical system and an amount of movement of the image plane, the second value being equal to or smaller than the first value.

Disclosed is a camera module that comprises a lens assembly that includes a lens base and a lens tube integrated with the lens base for receiving at least one lens; and a voice coil motor assembly for driving the lens assembly, comprising a base, two leaf springs, at least two coils, and at least two magnets. The coils are respectively fixed on two opposite sides of the base, the magnets are fixed on two opposite sides of the lens assembly respectively, and the magnets are located by inner sides of the coils respectively, the lens assembly is clamped by the leaf springs and supported on the base, the coils drive the magnets and the lens assembly to move after being energized. The camera module is simply structured, easy to assembly, less bulky and fit for the demand of thin products.

An autofocus lens system includes no conventional moving parts and has excellent speed and low power consumption. The system includes a small electronically-controlled focusing-module lens. The focusing-module lens includes two adjustable polymeric surfaces (e.g., two adjustable-surface lenses in a back-to-back configuration). The curvature of the surfaces can be adjusted to change focus. The performance of the autofocus lens system is extended by adding a conventional first and second lens, or lens group, on either side of the focusing-module lens. What results is an autofocus lens system with excellent near field and far field performance.